Carol Jenkins Barnett on Forbes List of Billionaires

The of Publix Super Markets Inc. board member and daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins is on Forbes' latest list of The World's Billionaires.

By KYLE KENNEDYTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Carol Jenkins Barnett is on a list of the "richest people on the planet."The Publix Super Markets Inc. board member and the daughter of company founder George Jenkins is on Forbes' latest list of The World's Billionaires.Barnett is ranked at No. 1,342 out of a total 1,426 billionaires worldwide. Forbes estimated her net worth at $1 billion.Barnett "puts her time and money toward children's programs in her native Florida," Forbes wrote in a brief online profile. "She and her husband, Barney Barnett, alsohave donated generously to local childhood literacy programs and high school learning centers."Barnett, 56, also serves as president of Publix Super Markets Charities.She made the billionaire list in 2008 and dropped off the following year. Forbes says it compiles net worth figures by valuing individuals' assets — stakes in companies, real estate, etc. — and accounts for debt. As noted in the profile, Barnett has been widely recognized for her philanthropic efforts. Last year, she and Barney Barnett were the lead donors on the $5.5 million Barnett Learning Commons facility at All Saints' Academy in Winter Haven. The Barnetts also donated $1 million to The Florida Aquarium last year for the creation of an education center."(Carol Barnett) and her family have been the driving force behind many of the things that improve the quality of life in our community," said Terry Worthington, president of United Way of Central Florida. "I would be proud to say that Carol's generosity has defined in large part what this organization has been able to do."The Barnetts have been major supporters of their alma mater, Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In 2011, Carol Barnett gave a multi-million dollar donation to FSC to establish a business school in her husband's name."Carol is one of those people I most admire because of her intelligence, her very thoughtful philanthropy, and how much she cares about our community, education and children," said FSC President Anne Kerr.Carol Barnett could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Barnett ranks last among the 31 Florida billionaires on this year's Forbes list. Micky Arison, CEO of the Miami-based Carnival cruise empire, topped all Florida billionaires with a net worth of $5.7 billion.The total 1,426 billionaires globally is a record high, according to Forbes. They have an aggregated net worth of $5.4 trillion, up from $4.6 trillion last year. The United States led with a total 442 billionaires.The overall top spot went to Mexican businessman and investor Carlos Slim Helu, with $73 billion, followed by Bill Gates ($67 billion) and fashion executive Amancio Ortega of Spain ($57 billion). Lakeland-based Publix had $27.5 billion in total sales for 2012, and cleared a profit of $1.6 billion, the company announced last week.

[ Kyle Kennedy can be reached at kyle.kennedy@theledger.com or 863-802-7584. ]